Customer Reviews

The Moral Compass

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My husband and I don't have any kids yet, but we bought this book to read to each other. It is wonderful! Some stories are touching, some are funny, some are quite clever, and all are moral. Every story is very interesting and yet somehow manages to secretly slip in a point about being good to yourself and others. This book is thick with lots of stories, but they're all very short. We both think this is one of the most entertaining books we have ever bought.

Loved it! It is a wonderful book that brings the reader back to the basic tried and true values. I love William Bennett, he makes sense of this world and cuts to the core. You can not help but agree with him. The stories told offer insight into many of life's dilema's that may arise from joy, hurt, love, anger, and basically a sense of fair play. At any time there is something to be gained by each story told. It is very well written and attention grabbing. Worth the purchase!

(If there is an age limit to this contest, then I am sorry!! I am 13 now) I was only 12 when I first started reading Mr. Bennet's books. I read the Book of Virtues before I read the Moral Compass. They were both wonderful books. I didn't under stand all of them, but then again, that is kind of good because then I could read them later on. Anyway, having read both of his books, I would have to say that he repeated morals over and over again in both of his books, but mainly in the second one. I know that there were different examples of the morals, but it still seemed kind of redundant. Other than that one small thing, I thought Mr. Bennet's books were outstanding and extremely well- written pieces of literature. Thank you very much for reading my review.

This book, and its predecessor, The Book of Virtues, are indispensable to your family's library. I gave them both to my entire family for Christmas last year, and kept one of each for myself. Whether you simply value good literature, yearn for the stuff of your youth (or your grandmother's youth), or desire quality stories to share with your nieces, nephews and grandchildren, you need both of these books.

Beginning with the words of two old lullabyes for children, this collection of stories from so many corners of the world emerges gently from the times and places of their origins. Stories of depth, of substance, of value. Stories with an imagery of old to captivate the child in each of us.

The quote by W. B. Yeats characterizes the way in which so many of the stories' authors reach out to the young reader (or listener): "I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly because you tread upon my dreams."

These stories are truly an opportunity to share intimately in the dreams of daring dreamers. They comprise the moral stuff to give directions in life's journey; and thus, a 'compass'.

Many stories so obviously written for children; yet, some of even greater value to adults who have kept the heart of a child.

for clergy of all denominations!

Mr. Bennett in this volume (as well as it's companion "The Book of Virtues" provides ample evidence that positive moral and ethical values are not dead (even if they appear at times to be in hiding).

A wonderful second serving. Might one hope for a third?

"The Moral Compass" is an anthology of short stories and poems from around the world, with a tendency towards American history and mainstream Christianity in some of the tales. As the title indicates, this book centers on what it means to be a good, moral citizen of society -- through stories that exemplify the best traits of good character. It's divided into 7 chapters that cover such topics as family, childhood, marriage, citizenship, strong moral values and purpose in life.

The book is fairly easy to read but enormous in size at over 800 pages. It took me a good while to complete from front to back, but you can just as easily use it to read only certain stories, as you see fit. (There's no particular reason to have to read it from front to back).

Sometimes I felt that the book could have encapsulated the same points with fewer stories (esp. the many Christmas stories that I could have done without) -- cutting down on the mammoth size of this volume. However, I'd recommend this book for parents with children ages 2 and up who may wish to read it to aloud at bedtime.

Overall, the stories were pretty much well-selected and many were very inspiring, containing little nuggets of wisdom that we would all do well to live by. But keep in mind that good number of stories in "The Moral Compass" seem to be oriented towards a mainly Catholic / Protestant Christian audience in the U.S.

I absolutely LOVE this book. Every morning I read a story (they are short enough to do in less than 5 minues) and send my kids off to school with something of value to think about and pattern their day after. I am hearing the talk about the stories more and more, and they always want to hear more! Yeah! The OLDIES are the GOODIES!!!

I've been reading this to my boys before bed for a while now. It is a really good way to spark conversations about moral issues.

Every parent and teacher should be required to sharethese stories with their children. In a world filled with people who believe that God needs to bend to human changes and weakness, Bennett understands that the real quest in life is for humanity to strive to be like Christ. These are great stories that show that right is right and that there is no compromising God's will.